Light Up A Life to remember this Christmas

TREE-MENDOUS CAUSE: The Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Councillor Mike Burton hangs a Light Up A Life message watched by director Les Jones.

VITAL FUNDS: Denise Wood with Father David McCormick who are supporting Light Up A Life at St Andrew's Hospice. Money raised from the event helps individuals such as Denise, who uses the services at St Andrew's Hospice every Friday. Pictures: Jon Corken

CHERISHED memories of lost loved ones will be shared at a special annual event.

The Grimsby Telegraph has once again teamed up with St Andrew's Hospice to Light Up A Life this Christmas.

Preparations are underway ahead of an annual ceremony, to be held at Grimsby Minster, on Saturday, December 1.

People are urged to fill in the form in today's Telegraph, with a name of who they want to remember and return it to the hospice in Peaks Lane, Grimsby.

Each name submitted will be added to a list which will be displayed inside the Minster for the service at 2pm.

In addition, a Tree Of Light will be coming to Grimsby's Top Town market on Thursday, November 22.

There, people can write a lost loved one's name on a card and hang it up on the tree.

There will be donation buckets available for people to also make a contribution.

Jane Whenham-White, head of fundraising and marketing at the Hospice, cannot stress just how important the campaign is.

She said: "Not only is it the hospice's main fundraiser on the calendar, for those who have lost someone close it is a chance to remember and celebrate their life. Around 2,000 people got involved last year and helped us to raise over £25,000 – this year we are aiming for £30,000.

"Although it is one campaign, the tree and church service are two unique ways of celebrating a life. People can choose to take part in both or just one."

Money raised from the event helps individuals such as Denise Wood, who uses the services at St Andrew's Hospice every Friday.

The 67-year-old has terminal ovarian cancer but says she would not have survived this long without the hospice's care.

She said: "When I first came here two years ago, I was depressed and fed up. The staff are wonderful and gave me reasons to be strong.

"I think Light Up A Life is great, staff not only support those with terminal illnesses but are on hand to care for bereaved families with something as simple as this."

For Father David McCormick, Hospice chaplain, the ceremony at Grimsby Minster will be the first one he has held. He said: "Christmas is a prominent time when we all look back over the past year and remember those we have lost throughout it.

"The ceremony will allow people to reflect and pause for a few moments to remember.

"I am looking forward to having the opportunity to meet new people and share with them their memories of certain individuals.

"We will have plenty of festive songs to sing during the service, it will be more about celebrating lives rather than mourning the deaths."